THAILAND-LAO BORDER

The Thailand-Lao border was surveyed between December 2000 and February 2001, in collaboration with civilian and military authorities. 961 communities were visited and 670 people were interviewed. The Thailand Landmine Impact Survey identified nine (9) provinces affected by the presence of landmines or unexploded ordnance (UXO): Phayao; Nan, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani and Nong Khai. Along the Thailand-Lao border, Nan province is the most highly impacted. Ninety (90) communities with a total population of 55,700 suffer adverse social-economic impacts.

A total of 316 victims were recorded. Only one was reported injured during the last 24 months, which shows that most villagers have adapted to the risk. The victim was a man who took a risk to enter the contaminated areas for collecting forest resources.

Most areas contaminated by landmines and UXO are located near the border with Laos or inside Thai soil where the political conflict areas were. A total of 213 dangerous areas were found. Landmines and UXO restricts safe access to forest resources, and to a lesser degree, safe access to cropland and pasture.